Tool Talk #56: GM Bankruptcy

Join us as we run down this week’s top five. We also discuss what GM’s bankruptcy might really mean to the truck-buying public. Remember: If you’ve got a question or comment you can call us at 214-296-9229. (Podcast Download)

One Response to Tool Talk #56: GM Bankruptcy

How much raw power it has makes a difference. You don’t want to have to walk long distances to refill your spool when you are out of line in the middle of a job, but larger spools weigh more, need larger head, bearing support, etc., plus o course there are people wacking seldom trimmed areas where the weeds are approaching miniature trees in size and stem density.

If you are contrasting a propane engine, obviously the engine needs lubricated for long life, so it would be more reasonable to compare against a 4 cycle gas engine, not 2 cycle. On the other hand I take issue with the environmentalist claims that spilling a little fuel is worse, the primary problem effecting humans is air pollution… if my lungs are caked with exhaust oil, I’m not caring much if there is a spot inbetween my driveway cracks where weeds won’t grow for a few years because I spilled a few teaspoons of gas.

Let me ask a targeted question though, when reading reviews of propane powered tirmmers, are you “weeding out” pardon the pun, the reviews biased towards ignoring shortcomings because they feel they should pimp something they are told is green?

The podcast also implied there aren’t the carb issues. Since when does a propane trimmer not need a carb for fuel air mixture and a pressure (opposed to vac) setting balance? Granted, you won’t have varnish buildup like you would with oil in the fuel but you will have oil from the lubrication system inevitably finding its way back into the carb where it also hardens.

Regardless, I’m not anti-propane for trimmers but with what is currently in the market, buyers seem to be paying what they would for a low end commercial gas powered unit and getting the equivalent of a $100 gas unit in overall quality (design, durability, etc), then contrasting it with their prior $100 gas powered unit when if only they had bought a commercial gas powered trimmer in the first place… plus, I suspect they’ll be paying a premium to have a propane trimmer serviced, the local small engine repair guy near you that charges reasonable rates isn’t going to want to touch it.

I’m suggesting they are a good idea but examples present in the market now are not quite ready for prime time yet, nor are prosumer level models readily available at reasonable price points.

Now about the propane cylinders. What to do with them? Recyclers don’t want them, they may be illegal to throw out in the trash, yet they are not always considered “hazardous materials” to dispose of that way. It would seem more environmentally friendly to refill them yourself from your gas grill tank with a brass adapter you add for the purpose, unhooking your grill then hooking it and the adapter back up again every time and checking for leaks too, but once you start doing that is it really any less fiddly to use one than having a gas can with gas oil mix?